Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · Tucson, AZ
How students pay for the University of Arizona
Sticker price $31,018 a year. After grants, the average student pays $17,125, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $14,327 to $24,145.
- 86%admitted
- 42,537undergraduates
- 71%graduate
- 96%get a grant from the school
Free tuition program
Arizona Promise Grant
Who: Arizona-resident, Pell-eligible first-year students with a 2.5 core unweighted GPA from an Arizona high school who apply and file the FAFSA by April 1 and enroll full-time at the main Tucson campus What: Covers base tuition, mandatory fees, the college fee and honors fee left after other gift aid, for up to four years; not books, housing or meals
Official details →What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $43,068 a year versus $13,906 for Arizona residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
96%grant from University of Arizonaavg $15,095
21%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,529
7%state grantavg $3,597
26%federal student loanavg $5,013
Scholarships from University of Arizona
Awards the school itself offers, as published on its own website (checked 2026-10-28). Amounts and deadlines change: confirm on the linked page.
- Wildcat Tuition Award
Arizona-resident high school graduates starting as first-time, full-time degree-seeking students.
- Arizona Tuition Award
Non-Arizona high school graduates starting as first-time, full-time degree-seeking students.
- Baird Award
Exceptional Arizona high school graduates, who join the Baird Scholars and the Franke Honors College; four years.
- President's Saguaro Scholars Award
About 100 Arizona first-year students a year, chosen through a nomination process.
- Foster Care Tuition Award
Foster youth certified through the Foster Success portal.
- Incoming Transfer Tuition Awards
Merit awards for transfer students.
Priority FAFSA deadline: April 1, 2027 for new Fall 2027 students; March 1, 2027 for current students.
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · Arizona
Arizona Promise Program
Covers in-state tuition, mandatory fees and program fees at ASU, NAU or the University of Arizona, after other grants and scholarships (up to eight semesters)
Who qualifies: Arizona residents who graduate from an Arizona high school with at least a 2.5 unweighted GPA, qualify for any federal Pell Grant, and start full-time on campus at ASU, NAU or the University of Arizona the fall right after high school.
How: No separate application: file the FAFSA by 1 April of your senior year and get admitted. FAFSA priority dates: 15 January for ASU, 1 April for NAU and the University of Arizona.
Official rules →State grant · Arizona
Arizona Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (AzLEAP)
Up to $2,500 a year; the average award is $1,000
Who qualifies: Arizona residents enrolled at least half-time as undergraduates at a participating Arizona college who are eligible for a Pell Grant.
How: File the FAFSA. Many participating schools select students automatically; at others, ask the financial aid office.
Official rules →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in Tucson
| Studio | $980/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $1,100/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $705/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 85721. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$15.15/hour minimum wage in Arizona
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $6,818 before tax. That covers about 10 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: rises with inflation every 1 January, by state law. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$18,000median federal debt≈ $205/month over 10 years
$67,414median earnings10 years after enrolling
71%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for University of Arizona
Does University of Arizona offer free tuition?
Yes: Arizona Promise Grant. Arizona-resident, Pell-eligible first-year students with a 2.5 core unweighted GPA from an Arizona high school who apply and file the FAFSA by April 1 and enroll full-time at the main Tucson campus Covers base tuition, mandatory fees, the college fee and honors fee left after other gift aid, for up to four years; not books, housing or meals.
What scholarships does University of Arizona offer?
Wildcat Tuition Award (Not stated on the page read); Arizona Tuition Award (Not stated on the page read); Baird Award (Not stated); President's Saguaro Scholars Award (Not stated); Foster Care Tuition Award (Not stated). Details and deadlines are on the school's financial aid pages.
How much does University of Arizona really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $17,125 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $14,327 to $24,145. The full cost of attendance before aid is $31,018.
Does University of Arizona give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 96% of first-year students received a grant from University of Arizona itself, averaging $15,095. 21% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,529).
How much is rent near University of Arizona?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (85721) is $1,100 a month for a one-bedroom and $1,410 for a two-bedroom, about $705 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at University of Arizona?
Yes. The minimum wage in Arizona is $15.15 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $6,818 before tax.
How much debt do University of Arizona graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $18,000, about $205 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $67,414.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with University of Arizona. How these pages work.
More in Arizona: Arizona State University · All colleges in Arizona →